The Real Role of a Cancer Coach: What’s In Scope and What Isn’t

Foundations of Cancer Coaching
Written By Kara Kenan

Cancer survivorship support is evolving and with it, the role of the Cancer Coach. Yet one of the most common questions we hear from aspiring and experienced professionals alike is this: What exactly does a Cancer Coach do and where are the boundaries?

Understanding scope of practice isn’t just about compliance. It’s about safety, integrity, and providing the kind of support cancer survivors truly need.

What Is the Role of a Cancer Coach?

A Cancer Coach is a non-clinical, evidence-informed professional who supports individuals affected by cancer to navigate life during and beyond diagnosis.

At its core, Cancer Coaching focuses on:

  • Emotional resilience and psychological wellbeing

  • Behavior change and healthy lifestyle foundations

  • Identity shifts, meaning, and post-treatment adjustment

  • Self-management, goal-setting, and empowerment

  • Communication, confidence, and values-based decision-making

Cancer Coaches help survivors make sense of their experience not their medical charts. The work is rooted in coaching psychology, positive psychology, and motivational interviewing, and always centered on the client’s lived experience.

What Is Not in Scope?

Equally important is understanding what Cancer Coaches do not do.

Cancer Coaches do not:

  • Diagnose or treat cancer or side effects

  • Provide medical, nutritional, or psychological therapy

  • Interpret scans, blood work, or treatment plans

  • Replace oncology teams or licensed clinicians

  • Prescribe supplements, diets, or protocols

Instead, Cancer Coaches collaborate ethically, supporting clients alongside their healthcare teams, never instead of them.

Why Scope Matters — For Coaches and Clients

Clear scope protects:

  • Clients - by ensuring safe, appropriate support

  • Coaches - by reducing risk and burnout

  • The profession - by strengthening credibility and trust

When boundaries are clear, coaching becomes more powerful, not less. Survivors don’t need more advice; they need skilled support to rebuild confidence, autonomy, and hope.

Where Training Fits In

Understanding scope intellectually is one thing. Learning how to embody it in practice is another.

At the Cancer Wellness Institute, scope-aligned practice is foundational to our evidence-based Cancer Coaching pathways, whether you’re new to coaching or expanding an existing health or wellness role.

Because ethical coaching isn’t about knowing more.
It’s about knowing where you make the greatest impact.

You Belong Here.

Kara Kenan
Next

The Importance of Self Care for the Cancer Coach